Week 2, day 2 – great finds!

In Area A, the tight sequence of stratigraphically secure contexts with abundant carbonized pits/seeds for 14C dating is expanding. As mentioned before, if all goes as we hope, we should have a great sequence covering the mid-LB thru late 9th cent. BCE!

In addition, a very interesting plaster bench, already partially exposed last year is being worked on. The bench, dating to the Iron I, goes deeper and deeper and appears to be a very interesting feature.

In Area D, in addition to the very rich remains from the 9th cent. destruction level there were some additional interesting finds. This included apparent evidence of a substantial pre-9th cent level – perhaps evidence of the 10th century occupation of the lower city. In addition, we seem to have discovered remains of a metal production location, with some slag remains and even a “tuyère” – the nozzle of the pipe that supplies oxygen to the heating installation!

In Area E, they worked on a very nice section of the alley way between the houses. In addition, some nice surfaces, also with material which probably can be dated by 14C – may also provide us with an importance sequence of stratigraphically dated sequences – this one from the EB! Dan Cabanes (University of Barcelona) who is an expert on phytolith analysis is on site for the week, working on the EB and Iron Age remains. He has pointed out some extremely interesting issues relating to the phytoliths discovered in Area E in the EB levels – which may provide some very interesting insights on the functions of various locations in this area and diet and environment during these periods.

In Area F, they are working in many periods. Among others there is nice evidence from the 8th, 9th and apparently 10th cent. BCE – meaning phases after, during and before the 9th cent. destruction level. Also, in lower F, nice remains abutting the MB city wall were found and it appears that this wall was reused in the LB and various stages of the Iron I.

In Area P, the western continuation of the long wall was discovered, and I believe we can safely say that it is a city wall. On the other hand, the fill to the south of the wall goes down and down, and so far, all the materials from this fill are EB! On the other hand, the surfaces on the inside, northern side of the wall date to the LB! So, either the wall is EB and reused in the LB – or it was built in the LB but covered over with a fill containing EB pottery! The answer to this question must await further excavation this season!

We also had a few visitors to the site today, including our colleagues Rachel Hallote, Andy Vaughn and Zvi Lederman.